Radiator



March 20, 1928.

G. S. BARROWS RADIATOR- Filed June 1926 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 w a $5 w um 15M P m HQ 636 b6 Quit-11.4.41,

March 20, 1928.

G. S. BARROWS RADIATOR 4 J 2 7 u W MW 7 a .w 0 m n n s e m a. r a .w J t m B r W U 2 I a 1 0 I max m 1 m m WN m m m, w 89 1 H w HM OHQQNV. m 17 Patented Mar. 20, 1928..

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

snonen s. BAnnows, or rnovrnnnon, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR T GENERAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER COMPANY, or rnovrnnnon, nt-ronn ISLAND, A CORP OF DELAWARE.

RADIATOR.

Application filed June '7,

r from dangers of the flame and initial high temperatures.

The present invention is to produce a radiator having the advantages of that with additional improvements which reduce the cost of manufacture; facilitate commercial handling and installation and greatly lessen the expense thereof; and withal provide improved effectiveness for room heating. Common practice has settled upon cast iron as the most economical, durable and suitable metal for making radiators, but this hasawkward and expensive incidental features which it is an object of the present invention to avoid, so far as radiators of the type mentioned are concerned. With radiators as hitherto proposed it has been a necessity, under practical commercial conditions, that the various sections of the radiator be assembled and secured together at the factory. It follows that the radiators are handled as complete units in the commercial handling including warehousing and distribution by wholesalers and jobbers, and these units are very heavy. All must stand on the floor because the expense of handling them to pile them one on another would be too great. This requires considerable floor space and ties up a large amount of capital because of the many sizes demanded commercially, notwithstanding that these various sizes are made of sections which, are identical and differ only in the number of sections that are fastened together. Because of these limitations itfrequently hap pens that theproper size is not at hand, and an undersized or oversized radiator is placed in a room in the heating system of a. house. 'And when a radiator is delivered to the premises where it is to be installed sev 1926. Serial No. 114,160.

eral men have to be sent with it in order to handle it from the truck to the job.

It is among the objects of the persent invention to provide a radiator for local combustion, made of cast iron or steel parts which can be assembled at the place of in stallation and handled by one man alone. Another object is to provide a superior heat radiating flame within the radiator and to provide for the normal discharge of its products of combustion through a thermosiphonic out draft, as for example to an out of doors vent. A further object is to provide automatic protection so that if the out draft or vent becomes blocked there is provision which automatically becomes effective to discharge the products into the room. charge does not occur under normal conditions, butis a safety feature, in that it permits the flame to continue to burn, within the radiator, even whenth'e normal vent is blocked. i

In brief, the invention provides so that theonly particular size parts which a dealer need keep onhand for radiators of a given style and height, are the burner and the base. Other parts, kept in quantity,.can be assembled so as to make any desired size of radiator; and all are severally light enough tobe handled by one man, from a truck into a building to be there assembled into the complete radiator. The radiator can be en larged or reduced by changing merely the base and burner, and adding or removing sections: or without change of the base and burner, by replacing the several risers withothers of detferent length. In manufacture, the smaller parts thus provided are more easily and cheaply cast than the heretofore unit sections. The wholesaler or jobber need carry but a fraction of the stock heretofore required. andyet can fill an even greater range of demands for varied sizes of radiators. Moreover, it becomes possible to stack in bins, with the heavier bases on the floor. the lighter top sections above, and the still lighter parts above that. l

The ample dimensions of the combustion chamber which become possible with the construction herein disclosed, make it practicable to use a luminous flame burner which It is a feature that this room dis or Bunsen flame burner because it has higher radiant heat value, is less afiected by changes in the quality or pressure of the gas, and does not require the somewhat complicated air shutter, or other means of supplyprimary air as does the Bunsen type of burner. And it makes available the great advantage of the luminous flame, that much of its heat is immediately disseminated radiantly, without the extra area and equip ment for transfer by convection; in consequence of which a radiator using such a flame heats more readily and has higher service efficiency. A. further efficiency factor is the arrangement of internal passages by which the products are forced to flow through the radiator and give up the greater part of their heat units before being discharged.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention herein disclosed provides a hollow base which is in the nature of an. l i-shaped manifold whose long parallel sides are connected by a short tube having discharge opening. Except as thus slightly obstructed the space between the parallel manifolds forms the entrance to the combust on chamber immediately above it. all plates resting on the inner edges of the base manifold, and cover plates on them make a single large combustion chamber. This elimination of the cross divisions shown in the Knight patent makes possible the use of a longer flame, the burner for which is a straight length of pipe running horizontally along the bottom of the combustion chamber just above the level of the base manifolds. The longer flame is yellow and has the property of transmitting heat by radiation, so that the lower walls of the chamber heat very quickly and thoroughly, and by projecting pins or fins a considerable part of the heat of the flame can be transmitted to the room air from these surfaces in the midst of the radiator.

The tops of the parallel base manifolds have holes adapted to receive suitable lengths of ordinary cast or wrought iron pipes which upstand therefrom, one row of them along each manifold. The tops of each pair of opposite individual pipes in these rows are connected by a tubular header or radiator top section. Except in the case of the end pipes, these headers overlie and have individual connection with the top of the combustion chamber through openings in the cover plates thereof. The cross passage of each header leads from the top of the combustion chamber to the said pair of opposite pipes. These headers may each have a top subsidiary cross passage, and there may be insulating end sections as explained in said Knight patent, to prevent the tangible and exposed surfaces from attain ing temperatures that are dangerous to contacting persons or things.

The products of the combustion rise through the single combustion chamber into the several header sections and thence flow outward to and downward through the pipe sections into the base manifolds whence they normally are drawn off by flue or pump, or by thermo-siphonic action through a vent pipe. But if the vent or discharge at the bottom becomes closed. the products may rise from the manifolds through the end pipes, which are beyond the ends of the combustion or intake chamber, and be discharged through the central openings of the cross headers of these end pipes into the room atmosphere. In either event they pass through the radiator, giving up their heat units during the flow. If the radiator be of cast whole-sections, these end openings are particularly useful for an alternative discharge, but if the radiator is of the sectional construction, as shown, it is unnecessary to leave theseend pipe discharges open for the cracks between the parts suffice for general escape of products of combustion. There fore, if desired, one may close the passage through the end pipes, in which case the draft, be it thermo-siphonic or artificial, will be concentrated upon the products of combustion and not be partially wasted in drawing room air through the end pipe openings.

As the burner can be inserted and fed from either end, the radiator may be said to be in fact symmetrical and can be set up to be connected at its more convenient end to a gas outlet in the room. If the discharge pipe should become clogged or shut off, flame can continue to burn as the gases can escape into the room.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentablo novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevation of a radiator embodying the present invention: a small portion being cut away to show a detail.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, with part broken away to the plane of a medial section, as on line 2-22 of Figure 3, and with part broken ay as on a line 22-2 of Figure 3, medial of the adjacent row of tubular risers:

Figure 3 is a plan in section on line of Figure 2:

Figure 4 is an elevation in section on line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an elevation of a part in section on line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective of a cover plate of the combustion chamber; and

Figure 7 is an elevation in section, showing an alternative form of pipe.

Referring to the drawings, the radiator base comprises a casting having a pairv of parallelmanifold passages 10 and 10", connected centrally by a cross passage 10 having an outlet 10 to which may be attached a discharge pipe 10 indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, with pump or other draft device, or merely leading through a window or wall for discharge outiof doors. At their ends the bottom walls of the manifold sections are joined by a horizontal web 10 to which are fastened depending floor legs 10. The rectangular space enclosed by the manifolds and these end webs has over it the combustion chamber 12 whose vertical end and side walls are flat plates 12 having outstanding lugs 12" for attachment to each other'by ordinary stove bolts. These walls are preferably provided with pins or projections 12 for the more rapid transfer of their heat to air of the room. The top of the combustion chamber is made in section 12, each as long as the horizontal extent of a side wall plate with three openings 12 havingflanged or upstanding edges 12 Top sections or headers 14, ,are provided one for each opening 12. Each of these has passages shaped like a broad and flattened letter A, with a main horizontal passage 14 connecting the stub legs of the A, having an opening downward from its middle, registering with the open top of the combustion chamber 12*; and with a subsidiary crowning passage 14 comprising the top of the A. Between the adj acent horizontal walls of these two cross passages is an open airspace 14 for circulation of the room atmosphere, whereby the walls of the subsidiary passages are kept at sufficiently low temperatures for safety to persons contacting therewith. The side pipes16 stand between the openings 14 in the bottoms of the A-legs, and the opens 10 in the tops of the manifold sectionslO, 10", being cast tubes or, commercial pipes which. conduct the heated gases from'the top sections to the base] These pipes may rest loosely upon an interior ridge 10 which upstands with horizontal top from the mani fold bottom, growing deeper as the said bottom slopes downward from its ends towards the central passage 10 (Figs. 2. 5) or may have a tapered seat '16 in a hole in the top of the manifold 10 as in the case of the alternate form of pipes 16 in Figure 17.

The end headers 14' have no direct con 'nection with the combustion chamber. The

latter ends just short of them, and they'af ford persons protection from end contact with the hotter elements. In case the outlet 1O should become closed or cut off, the end headers would then serve as an outlet for the products of combustion, which after flowing from thecombustion chamber and its connecting headers 14 downward through pipes 16 into the base manifold sections 10 and 10, would thence flow upward through flame. propagation into the room.

.the end pipes into headers 14- and out through theircentralopenings into the room. Thus the course of the burned gases is always through the passageways in the sev eral parts of the radiator and in consequence the heat units are absorbed from the gases before they leave via the vent 1O or the headers 14'.

When the escape is through vent 10 it is desirable to close the outlet passage via the end headers 14 to prevent any intake therethrough and thus cause all the indrawn air to pass through the combustion chamber. Accordingly, the top openings of the end pipes 16 may be closed by fiat discs 17 having depending prongs 17, engaging the inner walls ofthe pipe. WVith the passage-from the central openings of headers 14 to the base manifolds thus closed the velocity of the products of combustion through the combustion chamber is greater because of. the

concentration of draft therethrough. Should a stoppage of vent 10 occur while the passages through headers 14 are closed, thus creating a condition where there is no direct outlet from the radiator, theproducts of combustion mayescape through the radiator joints. These need not be tight, for under ordinary operation, the draft out from the base through 10 or headers 14 may be expected to maintain an inflow of airat any joint where there is not a tight connection.

An outside vertical end plate18, secured to the web 10 of the base by means of angular offsets 18 and to the lower, edge of the end header 14;, holds the sections ateach end rigidlytogether; and a long. horizontal bolt 20 passing through all the headers co operates with them to hold all parts of the radiator together as a unit. Each plate 18 has suitable openings 18 near its bottom through which the burner 22 may be' inserted; and has also a larger hole 18 above, with cover, through which the flame may be obpilot will continue lighted for re-ignition of the gas from the burner tips when 'is again opened.- I 1 v The provision of the large open combusthe valve tion chamber makes it possible to operate the radiatorburner with yellow flanid If preferred, a perforated plate 28 or screen may be placed under the burner to prevent Inthe manufacture, the various shapes involved are so simple that making of castings can bedone by ordinary foundries, unlike 'cast radiators at present in common use special technique has been. developed and ordinary foundries cannot handle the work on a commercial basis. F or the commercial distribution, the assembling being done'at the installation, the dealers supply of headers, wall plates, covers and risers can apply to radiators of any desired length so that a relatively small stock to be kept will be sufficient to meet orders for a wide range of sizes. By reason of the radiator being handled in parts, until it is set up, it can be handled by one man for transportation and assembly, Without help.

I claim as my invention:

1. A local combustion cast metal radiator comprising a base having a pair of parallel horizontal heat-radiating discharge manifolds, each extending integrally from end to end of the radiator with a row of top openings, a burner extending horizontally between the manifolds and shielded thereby; plates rising from said base, from the sides of said manifolds which are adjacent to each other, extending substantially the length of the base, each with inward exposure, forming a unitary intake and combustion chamber above the burner and each with outward exposure to room atmosphere constituting a heat-radiating shielded surface; tubular headers crossing above said chamber with underneath mid-openings arranged to receive products from the combustion chamber, and with underneath side-openings to discharge same downward above the manifolds; and pipes extending between the said underneath side-openings of the headers and the top openings of the manifolds, comprising passages for said products and shields for said exposed plates; there being means for discharge from the base manifolds.-

2. A local combustion cast metal radiator comprising, in combination, a horizontal unitary base extending the length of the radiator and having an elongated central opening and passages at each side thereof; a single quadrangular series of plates rising from the edges of said opening, organized to make a combustion chamber open at thebottom; a series of pipes stai'iding' on the base beside the combustion chamber, for conducting products of combustion to the said passages; means for discharge thence; a burner at the bottom of said combustion chamber;

and cross-connections above the combustion chamber, having openings registering with the said chamber to receive products of combustion and with the tops of said pipes for conveying said products to the pipes.

3. A local combustion cast metal radiator comprising, in combination, a horizontal unitary base extending the length of the radia tor and having an elongated central open space and internal passages at each side thereof; a single quadrangular series of plates rising from the edges of said open nee s-a9 space; and a plurality of closely adjacent partial covers therefor, having openings, organized with said plates to make a combustion chamber sectional cover frame; a burner at the bottom of said combustion chamber; a series of cross headers above the cover frame, each with an underneath opening in the middle registering with the cover frame opening, including end headers open to atmosphere, and intermediate headers thus connected with said cover openings to receive products from the combustion chamber; said headers also each having underneath openings at their ends, over the said internal passages; and a series of pipes connecting the last mentioned header openings with the internal passages of the base, whereby gases passing from the intermediate headers to the base passages may go thence through the end headers into the atmosphere.

4-. A local combustion cast metal radiator comprising, in combination, a unitary base extending the length of the radiator and having an elongated central open space and having internal passages at each side thereof with top openings and with a discharge opening; a series of wall plates standing on the base around its central open space; a cover frame extending substantially the length of the central open space, having openings, resting on said wall plates to form therewith a combustion chamber; a burner at the bottom of said chamber; a series of pipes standing on each side of the radiator in the top openings of the base passages; a series of headers connecting opposite pairs of said pipes, having underneath middle openings connecting with the openings of said cover frame, whereby the products of combust-ion are conducted from combustion chamber to said pipes and thence to the base passages for discharge from the radiator: means tieing said headers together; and horizontally vertical means tieing the end headers of the series to the base, thereby embracing the pipes between headers and base.

5. A local combustion cast metal radiator comprising, in combination, a horizontal. unitary base extending the length of the radiator and having an elongated central open space and internal passages at each side thereof; a quadrangular series of plates rising from the edges of said open space: and a cover frame therefor, having openings. organized with said plates to make a combustion chamber openat bottom and top;- a burner at the bottom ofsaid combination chamber; a vent from said base; a series of intermediate cross headers above the com bustion chamber each with an underneath mid-opening connected with one of the said cover frame openings to receive products from the combustion chamber; end headers having underneath mid-openings openable to atmosphere; all said headers having underneath end openings over the said internal the end headers to the base to concentrate the passages; a series of pipes connecting the intake of air through the combustion chamsaid end openings with the internal passages ber. 10

of the base whereby the products of combus- Signed at Boston; Massachusetts, this 5 tion pass from the intermediate headers to third day of June 1926.

the base and thence through its said vent; and means for closing the passage through GEORGE S. BARROWS. 

